Christmas is coming!

Despite the weather being exceptionally hot, I've made a start ready for Christmas.  I picked up this panel from the Bramble Patch last February. It was reduced in a sale so I couldn't resist. I pieced a red band around the central panel then added the 'Happy Holidays' border. not very creative but a means to an end.  Although it doesn't show up in the photo, I machined embroidered the baubles on the Christmas tree before quilting the large star. I did some simple quilting 'in the ditch' to complete the design and added a plain red binding. 

I was asked some time ago if I would give a talk and run a workshop for Priory Quilters in Royston. Of course I would!  The title of my talk is 'Passionate About Textiles' and will take place on Tuesday 4th October in Royston Town Hall.  I am the running a workshop for the group called 'Festive Table Runner'. This will be on Saturday 8th October at  Vicarage Close Melbourn SG8 6DY. 

The plan is to teach how to sew this Christmas table runner. Made of a series of triangles, what makes this special is the use of some rather unique fabric. 

This series of festive prints was designed by a friend called Jo Clark. Jo posted her designs onto Spoonflower, discovered by Cloud9 and put into production.  

This refreshingly simple festive fabric was an inspiration to me so I designed this table runner that will form the basis of my workshop.  I used straight line quilting to add interest. 

Close up of the runner

 I made all the samples last spring but got to work this week making a sample in more 'traditional' Christmas fabric.  I added a simple vermicelli quilting to the trees and a smaller scale version to the white background between the tree trunks. 

Runner with traditional Christmas fabric

Here's an earlier version with straight line quilting. 

Last, but not least, I have several packs of bunting kits prepared for sale. The kits comes with a selection of Jo's prints ready cut out to stitch together, some red bias binding and a set of comprehensive instructions. The kit makes a string of eleven large flags, 2.5m long using eight different fabric prints. 

Each kit is ten pounds. Email me marion.curtis@ntlworld.com if interested and I'll work out the postage or delivery arrangements. 

Amish Life & Quilts

Last Friday I enjoyed a most interesting lecture by Jan Jefferson who originates from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

On the right is a photo of Jan holding an example of a quilt made by an Amish woman to sell to tourists in modern times. It is an example of the 'Sunshine and Shadow' design.

The original settlers in Pennsylvania were very hardworking people seeking religious freedom in the New World.  The Amish dress very plainly with a limited range of colours. Jan told us that the women never cut their hair but always tied it back very tightly and covered it with a cap. The men are clean shaven until they marry. Then they grow a beard.  The quilts were always made for practical reasons out of scraps remaining from garment making. Fabric was such a precious commodity that everything will have been saved. Anyone who has handwoven fabric would understand this. 

This quilt on the left, is an example of the 'bars' style of design with four patch inserts. It was made in the late 19th century and has the typical print fabric in red and green colours used by Pennsylvania women. These pretty prints were very popular between 1880 and 1900. 

This one on the right caused quite a stir in the room!  The 3D blocks were amazing.

The pink quilt below with the flying geese is another example of 'bars' The colours were stunning and, on the whole, the same colour is used across the quilt on each row.  

The simplicity of this quilt particularly appealed to me. I hadn't been patchwork and quilting very long before I decided to concentrate on working with plain or solid fabrics. I think I must have been influenced by the Amish more than I thought.  The very early Amish quilts are stunningly simple in their design. diamonds in squares for example with an exceptionally limited colour pallette. 

Another quilt that made us all say 'wow'. It's an example of a design called 'Broken Star' made in the 1930's in Lancaster County, PA. The effect of the plain colours with silky cotton fabric is stunning.  It doesn't show up on the photograph but the 'plain' background has the most amazing hand quilting. 

Finally, my favourite of them all....this one below is a true scrap quilt. Made in the 1960s the maker used scraps with no plan or pattern. you really get the feeling that she was determined to use every last scrap in her possession come what may.

Textiles In Focus 2016

I always look forward to this weekend in February as the Textiles In Focus Exhibition takes place. This year it has moved away from Cottenham Village College to Cambourne Village College. Luckily the organiser had the roads well signposted as my newish Sat Nav wanted to take me to the middle of a ploughed field.  This exhibition is not huge but, for me, heralds the start of the new 'sewing season'. Ideas are formed, materials purchased, friends caught up with. 

I rarely attend any of the workshops but always have a good look around the exhibition and trade stands. I must admit that I felt the event lacked something in 'atmosphere'. There were not many visitors when I was there and therefore none of the usual 'buzz'. I searched out my friend Agnes Asselin from Cambridge Open Studios. Agnes creates wonderful pictures using African fabric.

Here is Agnes on her stall. 

And a close up shot of some of her framed pictures. Agnes also makes cards, and sells jewellery, either ready made up or in kit form.  

To find out more:Link to Agnes' page at Cambridge Open Studios

I also bumped into Jenny Langley. Jenny is a local textiles artists who champions using recycled materials. http://www.arttextiles.co.uk/

I have known Jenny for many years. She has many interests including machine embroidery, printing and her famous storytelling mats. It's well worth looking at her website for more information. This picture shows her amidst her canopy of textile art connected with her work with Sense. I couldn't begin to write everything about Jenny but do go to her website. 

Next, I found Annette Morgan....

 Annette was busy demonstrating with Mary Mackintosh. Annette is very well know in the UK and it's thanks to her that I first got involved in indigo dyeing, which led in turn to patchwork and quilting. Annette is an art quilter and often uses print as a basis of her designs. 

http://www.annettemorgan.co.uk/

After shopping around I finally found what I was looking for. I have in mind to make felted and embellished notebook covers in time for my July Open Studios. Although there are five months before the event, one can never get organised too early! 

I almost forgot to say that I was the guest speaker at Cambridge Quilters, Grantchester Village Hall, on Friday morning. The talk was entitled 'Passionate About Textiles'. I reflected on why I gave this as the title and decided it is simply because I am compelled/obsessed with textiles. Moreover, textiles is not only my hobby bit had been the basis of my entire career. I brought along some Ukrainian textiles as well as various embroideries, weaving and even macrame. My early forays into patchwork and quilting are somewhat embarrassing in hindsight but pleasing to see how much I have improved over time.  I was very pleased with all the positive feedback and a few ladies asked me if I might do a workshop based on my fibonacci quilt series.   I can't wait.